Shade roller



- Jan. 22, 1929.

R. c. scHEM'MEL SHADE ROLLER Filed Dc. s, 19,27

Patented Jan. 22, 1929.

UNITED STATES ROBERT C. SCI-IEMMEI, OF 'UNION CITY,` INDIANA.

SHADE Application filed December My present invention relates to windowshade rollers for household or other uses, but is designed more esi'iecially to improve those rollers Lused in closed vehicles, and particularly automobiles.

Spring actuated rollers of the character aforesaid, have heretofore been made of various materials, including wood, and relatively thin sheet metal. Ordinarily when made of wood and hollow at one end to accommodate spring actuating means, these rollers are comparatively fragile and the source of considerable trouble and annoyance at times as a result of splitting or splintering of the wooden shell.

Vhen made of sheet metal these rollers are of course, more durable, but are objectionable because of the lap seam by which the two longitudinal edges of the' tubular body are joined.

The present invention has for an object to combine the desirable features of such wooden and metal rollers while at lthe same time eliminating their objectionable features.

As a further object the present invention contemplates and provides novel roller reinforcing means, and means for securing a remarkably smooth and serviceable working surface.

As a further object this invention includes means whereby rollers may be materially reinforced, and finished in colors corresponding with curtains with which used, or the color scheme of a particular car or room.

I/Vith the foregoing and other objects in view the invention will now be particularly described and then pointed out by the claims following.

In the accompanying drawings which form part of this application for Letters Patent, and whereon corresponding reference characters indicate like parts in the several views:

Figure l is a perspective' view of my com plete roller ready for use;

Figure 2 is a relatively enlarged side elevation of my invention partly in section and broken away centrally for economy of space upon the sheet; and

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view through roller, spring-pocket and spring.

Reference being had to the drawings and numerals thereon., l indicates a wooden curtain roller bored longitudinally at one end to form a spring pocket 2, in which lat- ROLLER.

5, 1927. seriai No. 237,883.

ter is located the ordinary well known spring actuating means 3.

In carrylng out my present invention a continuous spiral groove 4C is first turned in the surface of roller l, and in this groove is laid under tension a reinforcing element as for example wire 5. After securing one end as at 6, this wire may be tightly wound or coiled into the groove t in any convenient manner, but preferably this is quickly and eiiiciently accomplished by means of a special jig (not shown) a'ttached'to an ordinary lathe, for feeding the wire 5 into grolove l immediately following the cutting too l/Vhen wire 5 or other reinforcing means has thus been tightly bound upon roller l throughout its length, as shown by Figure 2, its opposite end is then secured to the roller as at 7, as a means of reinforcing and strengthening the latter, particularly at its hollow and relatively fragile end.

After winding and reinforcing roller 1 as aforesaid, the same is snugly encased by a fabric cover 8 as shown. Preferably this fabric is seamless and knitted or woven to the required dimensions. It is stretched snugly into place as best shown by Figure 1, and there further and permanently secured by glue first applied to the roller, after which the end fittings 9 and l0 are attached to complete the roller structure.

This being substantially the structural arrangement of the present invention, its use and operation need hardly be dwelt upon since the present improved roller in service functions in the ordinary and well understood manner.

Its advantagesin'point of durability and general appearance however, are material, the new structure being greatly reinforced by both wire 5 or its equivalent and the fabric covering 8 glued into place, so that in the possible event of splitting or splintering fragments of a roller so constructed and protected will in no Wise injure the curtain, or iind entrance. into the spring pocket 2, where they might otherwise seriously inter. fere with operation of the spring actuating mechanism.

It should be noted also that because of the embedding of wire 5, and the seamless character of the outer binder cover 8, the roller at all times presents a perfectly smooth appearance upon its outer surface, and at the same time may be made to correspond with the shade or curtain in color or material, or both color and material if desired.

It will be observed, however, that my invention in its broader' aspect contemplates and includes a hollow wooden shade roller, strengthened by suitable reinforcing means wound upon its exterior, such for example as the continuous wire 5 coiled upon its outer surface as shown, and there secured permanently in position, regardless of whether or not the same is embedded, or whether or not it is enclosed by an outermost covering of fabric.

Having thus described my present inven* tion in one form of embodiment, what l now claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent l. A hollow Wooden shade roller having reinforcing means coiledvupon the outer surface thereof, and means for securing said reinforcing means permanently in position.

2.A hollow wooden shade roller having reinforcing means coiled upon and embedded in the outer surface thereof, and means for securing said reinforcing means permanently in position.

3. A hollow wooden shade roller having a reinforcing wire coiled upon the outer surface thereof, and means for securing said wire permanently in position.

4C. A hollow wooden shade roller having a reinforcing wire coiled upon and embedded in the outer surface thereof, and means for securing said wire permanently in position.

5. A hollow wooden shade roller having a reinforcing wire coiled upon the outer surface thereof, and an enclosing outer fabric arranged and adapted to secure said wire in position.

6. A hollow wooden shade roller having a reinforcing wire coiled upon and embedded flush with the outer surface thereof, an enclosing outer fabric cover adapted to be stretched into position, and means for securing the cover to said roller. t

7. A hollow wooden shade roller having a reinforcing Wire coiled upon the outer surface thereof, and a seamless outer fabric cover enclosing the roller.

8. A hollow wooden shade roller having a reinforcing wire coiled upon and embedded in the outer surface thereof, yand a seamless, close-fitting fabric cover permanently glued to and enclosing the roller.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ROBERT C. SCHEMMEL. 

